Between the state and federal computers
that flank Joan Benzon in ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and
Safety, sit three national awards that recognize consistently great
work that she performs for Idaho.

Benzon
regularly combs through a variety of reports, files, data and statistics
in her position as Idaho’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System
(FARS) analyst searching for information that can be coded and submitted
to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National
Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA). More simply, Benzon provides
a detailed accounting to NCSA of all of the people killed on Idaho roadways.

Once
accepted by the FARS national database, the statistical information
is used to provide an overall measure of highway safety, to help identify
traffic safety problems, to suggest solutions and to help evaluate the
effectiveness of motor vehicle safety standards and highway safety programs.

For her efforts, she received a 2007
FARS “Above and Beyond” award during ceremonies held Oct.
24 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The award recognizes outstanding
FARS analysts and is Benzon’s third FARS award since 2003. Only
five analysts in the nation received the award this year.

“She does a good job for us,”
said supervisor Susan Mulkey, who nominated Benzon for all three FARS
awards.

“Joan is meticulous in the details
of her job and is persistent in tracking down some of the information
that is needed to fully describe the circumstances surrounding a fatal
crash,” Mulkey said.

“She has always ranked very high
in the nation in the area of the GPS location of the crash, which is
an indicator of the thoroughness of attention she gives her job. She
strives to meet every deadline and responds quickly to requests above
and beyond her normal duties.”
To be considered for an award, a FARS analyst’s work needs to
be submitted consistently on time and go through a rigorous grading
process, Mulkey explained.

“I like what I do, feel good about
it and enjoy it,” said Benzon who has worked at ITD the past seven
years – six of which have been in her current position. “I
started as a temp, but took the opportunity to go full time.”

Before joining ITD she worked in the
medical field.

Benzon splits her time between state
reporting needs and FARS responsibilities, but confided that on some
days her job can be emotionally difficult.

“You can make people a statistic,
but when it’s a child or someone you know,” she said. “Well,
I’ve shed a few tears.”